{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/18.2-71.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/18.2-71.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/18.2-71.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/18.2-71.html"}],"law_id":351168,"edition_id":2,"section_id":351168,"structure_id":50223,"section_number":"18.2-71","catch_line":"Producing abortion or miscarriage, etc.; penalty","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-62; 1960, c. 358; 1970, c. 508; 1975, cc. 14, 15.","full_text":"Except as provided in other sections of this article, if any person administer to, or cause to be taken by a woman, any drug or other thing, or use means, with intent to destroy her unborn child, or to produce abortion or miscarriage, and thereby destroy such child, or produce such abortion or miscarriage, he shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1307837,"text":"Except as provided in other sections of this article, if any person administer to, or cause to be taken by a woman, any drug or other thing, or use means, with intent to destroy her unborn child, or to produce abortion or miscarriage, and thereby destroy such child, or produce such abortion or miscarriage, he shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":50223,"edition_id":2,"name":"Abortion","identifier":"9","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":11,"parent_id":50171,"metadata":{"child_laws":11,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:24:55","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:17","permalink":{"id":1392255,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50223,"identifier":"9","token":"18.2\/4\/9","url":"\/18.2\/4\/9\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50171,"edition_id":2,"name":"Crimes Against the Person","identifier":"4","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":4,"parent_id":50131,"metadata":{"child_laws":128,"child_structures":11},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:23:51","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:16","permalink":{"id":1391765,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50171,"identifier":"4","token":"18.2\/4","url":"\/18.2\/4\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50131,"edition_id":2,"name":"Crimes and Offenses Generally","identifier":"18.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":52,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":960,"child_structures":94},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:22:59","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:15","permalink":{"id":1391141,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50131,"identifier":"18.2","token":"18.2","url":"\/18.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":351168,"structure_id":50223,"section_number":"18.2-71","catch_line":"Producing abortion or miscarriage, etc.; penalty","url":"\/18.2-71\/","token":"18.2\/4\/9\/18.2-71","metadata":false},{"id":351167,"structure_id":50223,"section_number":"18.2-71.1","catch_line":"Partial birth infanticide; penalty","url":"\/18.2-71.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/9\/18.2-71.1","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Richmond Medical Center for Women v. Herring","case_number":"03-1821, 04-1255","citation":"570 F.3d 165","date":"2009-06-24","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1029238\/richmond-medical-center-for-women-v-herring\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. OPINION .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"1":{"name":"Richmond Medical Center for Women v. Herring","case_number":"03-1821, 04-1255","citation":"527 F.3d 128","date":"2008-05-20","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1025760\/richmond-medical-center-for-women-v-herring\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Affirmed by published opinion. Judge MICHAEL wrote the majority opinion, in which Judge MOTZ joined. .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"2":{"name":"Richmond Medical Center for Women v. Hicks","case_number":"CIV.A.03CV531","citation":"301 F. Supp. 2d 499","date":"2004-02-02","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2511465\/richmond-medical-center-for-women-v-hicks\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 301 F.Supp.2d 499 (2004) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"},"3":{"name":"Richmond Medical Center for Women v. Hicks","case_number":"Nos. 03-1821, 04-1255","citation":"422 F.3d 160","date":"2005-09-02","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/8439004\/richmond-medical-center-for-women-v-hicks\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. NIEMEYER, Circuit Judge, .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"4":{"name":"Richmond Medical Center for Women v. Hicks","case_number":"03-1821, 04-1255","citation":"409 F.3d 619","date":"2005-06-03","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2968133\/richmond-medical-center-for-women-v-hicks\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Affirmed by published opinion. Judge MICHAEL wrote the majority opinion, in which Judge MOTZ joined. .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"5":{"name":"Richmond Medical Center For Women v. Hicks","case_number":"04-1255","citation":"422 F.3d 160","date":"2005-09-02","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/791784\/richmond-medical-center-for-women-v-hicks\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 422 F.3d 160 .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"6":{"name":"Richmond Medical Center For Women v. Hicks","case_number":"04-1255","citation":"409 F.3d 619","date":"2005-06-03","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/790414\/richmond-medical-center-for-women-v-hicks\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 409 F.3d 619 .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"}}}},{"id":351169,"structure_id":50223,"section_number":"18.2-72","catch_line":"When abortion lawful during first trimester of pregnancy","url":"\/18.2-72\/","token":"18.2\/4\/9\/18.2-72","metadata":false},{"id":351170,"structure_id":50223,"section_number":"18.2-73","catch_line":"When abortion lawful during second trimester of pregnancy","url":"\/18.2-73\/","token":"18.2\/4\/9\/18.2-73","metadata":false},{"id":351173,"structure_id":50223,"section_number":"18.2-74","catch_line":"When abortion or termination of pregnancy lawful after second trimester of pregnancy","url":"\/18.2-74\/","token":"18.2\/4\/9\/18.2-74","metadata":false},{"id":351171,"structure_id":50223,"section_number":"18.2-74.1","catch_line":"Abortion, etc., when necessary to save life of woman","url":"\/18.2-74.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/9\/18.2-74.1","metadata":false},{"id":351172,"structure_id":50223,"section_number":"18.2-74.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-74.2\/","token":"18.2\/4\/9\/18.2-74.2","metadata":false},{"id":351174,"structure_id":50223,"section_number":"18.2-75","catch_line":"Conscience clause","url":"\/18.2-75\/","token":"18.2\/4\/9\/18.2-75","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Michael v. Sentara Health System","case_number":"Civil Action 2:96cv321","citation":"939 F. Supp. 1220","date":"1996-10-07","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1511225\/michael-v-sentara-health-system\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 939 F.Supp. 1220 (1996) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"},"1":{"name":"Simopoulos v. Commonwealth","case_number":"Record 801107","citation":"277 S.E.2d 194","date":"1981-04-24","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1309503\/simopoulos-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 277 S.E.2d 194 (1981) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":351177,"structure_id":50223,"section_number":"18.2-76","catch_line":"Informed written consent required","url":"\/18.2-76\/","token":"18.2\/4\/9\/18.2-76","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Falls Church Med. Ctr., LLC v. Oliver","case_number":"Civil Action No. 3:18cv428\u2013HEH","citation":"346 F. Supp. 3d 816","date":"2018-09-26","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/7333101\/falls-church-med-ctr-llc-v-oliver\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Henry E. Hudson, Senior United States District Judge .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"},"1":{"name":"Simopoulos v. Commonwealth","case_number":"Record 801107","citation":"277 S.E.2d 194","date":"1981-04-24","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1309503\/simopoulos-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 277 S.E.2d 194 (1981) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":351175,"structure_id":50223,"section_number":"18.2-76.1","catch_line":"Encouraging or promoting abortion","url":"\/18.2-76.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/9\/18.2-76.1","metadata":false},{"id":351176,"structure_id":50223,"section_number":"18.2-76.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-76.2\/","token":"18.2\/4\/9\/18.2-76.2","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":351167,"structure_id":50223,"section_number":"18.2-71.1","catch_line":"Partial birth infanticide; penalty","url":"\/18.2-71.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/9\/18.2-71.1","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Richmond Medical Center for Women v. Herring","case_number":"03-1821, 04-1255","citation":"570 F.3d 165","date":"2009-06-24","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1029238\/richmond-medical-center-for-women-v-herring\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. OPINION .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"1":{"name":"Richmond Medical Center for Women v. Herring","case_number":"03-1821, 04-1255","citation":"527 F.3d 128","date":"2008-05-20","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1025760\/richmond-medical-center-for-women-v-herring\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Affirmed by published opinion. Judge MICHAEL wrote the majority opinion, in which Judge MOTZ joined. .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"2":{"name":"Richmond Medical Center for Women v. Hicks","case_number":"CIV.A.03CV531","citation":"301 F. Supp. 2d 499","date":"2004-02-02","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2511465\/richmond-medical-center-for-women-v-hicks\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 301 F.Supp.2d 499 (2004) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"},"3":{"name":"Richmond Medical Center for Women v. Hicks","case_number":"Nos. 03-1821, 04-1255","citation":"422 F.3d 160","date":"2005-09-02","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/8439004\/richmond-medical-center-for-women-v-hicks\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. NIEMEYER, Circuit Judge, .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"4":{"name":"Richmond Medical Center for Women v. Hicks","case_number":"03-1821, 04-1255","citation":"409 F.3d 619","date":"2005-06-03","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2968133\/richmond-medical-center-for-women-v-hicks\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Affirmed by published opinion. Judge MICHAEL wrote the majority opinion, in which Judge MOTZ joined. .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"5":{"name":"Richmond Medical Center For Women v. Hicks","case_number":"04-1255","citation":"422 F.3d 160","date":"2005-09-02","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/791784\/richmond-medical-center-for-women-v-hicks\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 422 F.3d 160 .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"6":{"name":"Richmond Medical Center For Women v. Hicks","case_number":"04-1255","citation":"409 F.3d 619","date":"2005-06-03","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/790414\/richmond-medical-center-for-women-v-hicks\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 409 F.3d 619 .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"}}}},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-71\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1960, chapter 358; in 1970, chapter 508; in 1975, chapters 14 and 15.<\/p>","references":[{"id":349565,"section_number":"16.1-241","catch_line":"Jurisdiction; consent for abortion","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-241\/"},{"id":351169,"section_number":"18.2-72","catch_line":"When abortion lawful during first trimester of pregnancy","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-72\/"},{"id":351170,"section_number":"18.2-73","catch_line":"When abortion lawful during second trimester of pregnancy","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-73\/"},{"id":351173,"section_number":"18.2-74","catch_line":"When abortion or termination of pregnancy lawful after second trimester of pregnancy","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-74\/"},{"id":351171,"section_number":"18.2-74.1","catch_line":"Abortion, etc., when necessary to save life of woman","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-74.1\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1392257,"object_type":"law","relational_id":351168,"identifier":"18.2-71","token":"18.2\/4\/9\/18.2-71","url":"\/18.2-71\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-71\/","token":"18.2\/4\/9\/18.2-71","dublin_core":{"Title":"Producing abortion or miscarriage, etc.; penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-71","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>Except as provided in other sections of this article, if any person administer to, or cause to be taken by a woman, any drug or other thing, or use means, with <span class=\"dictionary\">intent<\/span> to destroy her unborn child, or to produce abortion or miscarriage, and thereby destroy such child, or produce such abortion or miscarriage, he shall be guilty of a Class 4 <span class=\"dictionary\">felony<\/span>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPRODUCING ABORTION OR MISCARRIAGE, ETC.; PENALTY (\u00a7 18.2-71)\n\nExcept as provided in other sections of this article, if any person administer\nto, or cause to be taken by a woman, any drug or other thing, or use means, with\nintent to destroy her unborn child, or to produce abortion or miscarriage, and\nthereby destroy such child, or produce such abortion or miscarriage, he shall be\nguilty of a Class 4 felony.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-62; 1960, c. 358; 1970, c. 508; 1975, cc. 14, 15.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}